Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 12874, Eliphalet Ensign, Conn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Gonn.
Ensign Eliphalet
S. 12874
Carded
CONTENTS

by Major Hunt - 1861
Private-Counsel 4-6 " " 6-8
scribed on the Roll of Conn. the rate of 36. Dollars 67 1/2 Cents - commence on the 1 th day of March, 183
Certificate of [illegible] the 15 th day of [illegible] and lent to George C. [illegible] [illegible]
Answers to the list of questions - 73 General answers - 183
1691.

150150-00000 Declaration of Eliphalet Ensign, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832
State of Connecticut } County of Litchfield } ss Court of Probate within & for the District of Litchfield
On this 20 th day of Aug. 1832 personally appeared in open Court, before the Hon. Frederick Wolcott Judge of the Court of Probate within & for said District, now sitting, Eliphalet Ensign of a resident of New Hartford in said County aged 84 years, who being first duly sworn doth on his oaths make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers & served as herein stated viz,
I was born in New Hartford Aug 10 th 1748 I have a record of my age in my account book which was made by my Father In July 1776 I belonged to a Company of Cavalry commanded by Capt Noah Phelps, Lieut Uriah Seymour, Cornet Hays, Quarter Master Andrew Killian, I resided at that time in New Hartford & the whole or a part of our 1 st Company, was called out by the command of the Governor to go to New York to protect that City, which was supposed to be in danger of an attack from the British, We assembled in 1 st New Hartford & from thence marched under the command of 1 st Lieut Seymour through Litchfield to Norwalk & then to New York, After we reached New York we were stationed in that City for the purpose aforesaid & belaged to the Regiment commanded by Major Hart. We had but little active service to perform, except to be ready for service & remained stationed in the City for about one month . While we were there I remember that two of the British men of war succeeded in sailing past the City up the North River, Genl Washington, Putnam & he were there at the time, At the end of the month I was with others dismissed & came home, To prove this tour of service I annex the testimony of Abraham Pettibone & Ruth Woodruff

18190 00007 About the late of October 1776 said Company was again called out under said Lieut. Uriah Deymore to go to White Plains & there join the American Army, in opposition to the British, I went thither as a soldier for this purpose & was with the Company on the way there when the Battle at White Plains was fought, I remember that we heard the firing in that Battle, on our march, we came into the neighborhood the day after that Battle but did not join the army till the next morning. We then joined it & remained about there a guard for a short time, Gen l Washington, Lee, McDougal & were there at this time. After the army or a part of it had crossed the North River, I received a letter from Gen l Lee to Carry carry to Col. Root an aid de Camp of Gen l Washington. I carried it to Hackensack & there delivered it to Gen l Root. I returned the next day & joined my Company. After this our Company was stationed at or near White Plains, at Dobbs Ferry, at Scarsdale & as a guard for the purpose of protecting the country in that vicinity; we remained there for this purpose & to carry orders, dispatches &c till we were dismissed which was done at New Castle or North Castle, verbally & a parade by a superior officer. We were at this time in Major Sheldon's Regiment, & I served at this time something more than two months I think. To prove this I annex the testimony of Butts Woodruff which is all the testimony I can procure relative to it.
In July 1777 I went in the same Company & under the same Company officers, to the North River. We were called out by our Major Thos Bull of Woodbury to join our army on the North River; & we marched under Capt. Phelps Lieut. Deymore, Cornet Hayes, & Quarter Master Kelley to Crompond near Peekskill, where we were stationed some time, & until we were ordered to march towards New York under the Command of Gen l Varnum to make an attack on the British. It was said in the ranks that we were going to retake Fort Washington, or to make an attack to divert the attention of the enemy from

some other quarter; however there was no general attack made on the British, but some skirmishing took place between the British & our scouting par- ties; after a few days we returned to Crompond, & remained there without being engaged in any very important duty, until we were discharged. Gen. Putnam at this place gave directions to have us dismissed in case Gen Varnum had no further occasion for our services. When these directions arrived I was sent by our Major Bull, (who com- manded our Regiment,) to Gen Varnum to ascertain that fact. I earned a paper from Major Bull to Gen Varnum, & returned one from him to Major Bull, upon which he dismissed us as a party. I served at this time as a soldier in the American Army one month & to prove it annex the testimony of Isaac Cutlin who served with me through the whole of this tour of service
In the Spring of the year 1778 I enlisted into a corps of men raised by the Legislature of Connecticut for the service of the United States; I enlisted into a company command- ed by Capt Amasee Mills, & was enlisted by Lieut Zachariah Watson who however did not go into the service with me; I was in the Reg t commanded by Col Roger Eno, Lt. Col. Seth Smith & the Major I have forgotten. I en- listed for one year liable to be called out at any mo- ment on the shortest notice. In the forepart of the summer of that the year 1778 I was called out with the company to which I belonged to March to West- Chester County N.Y. & went there with 1 st Company to White Plains & joined the army in that neighborhood We were stationed near White Plains for a few weeks when our Regiment under Col. Eno, were ordered to march to West Point, which we immediately did. At West Point we were employed in erecting a fortification, standing guard etc till we were dismissed which was done

18190 00009 after I had performed a tour of service as a soldier in the Revolutionary Army of three months duration
Our 2 d Company was again called out in the fall of the same year, to march towards the lines near New-York, which I did with said Company, & marched to Greenwich, Horse-neck he on the Sound, We were still commanded by Col. Eno, Our duty was to protect that section of the Country from the attacks & excursions of the British & Tawboys etc, & to prevent them from carrying off cattle & plundering the country, We remained in this vicinity for this purpose for three months & then were dismissed, During this year of enlistment I was in active service at least six months & my evidence & the only evidence I have of it is the annexed testimony of Abel Tyler
I have never received a written discharge but when dismissed as above stated, it was done on parade by an officer. I have no documentary evidence of my 2 d services & have annexed all the testimony in support of my declaration of which I have any knowledge. I have at all times since my birth resided in 2 d New Hartford, except from July 1797 to Sept 1803 during which time I resided in the States of New-York & Pennsylvania, — I am known to the Rev d Cyrus Gales, Eli Merrill, Jas. Merrill, Asa Goodwin Esq & Plate King who reside in my present neighborhood & who can testify as to my character for veracity & their belief of my services as a soldier of the Revolution.

158190 00070 He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to an annuity or pension except the present & declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State. Eliphalet Ensign.
Sworn to, & subscribed the day & year aforesaid before me Frederick Wolcott Judge of Probate Ritchfield District Conn.
We Cyrus Gale a Clergyman residing in the town of New Hartford & Asa Goodwin residing in s d town hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Eliphalet Ensign, who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 84 years of age; that he is reputed & believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution, & that we concur in that opinion. And we further certify that said Ensign's character for veracity is good & his representations may be relied on.
Cyrus Gale
Asa Goodwin
Sworn, & subscribed the day & year aforesaid
before me, Frederick Wolcott, Judge of Probate Ritchfield District Conn.
And the said Court does hereby declare its opinion, after the investigation of the matter, & after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier & served as he states. And the Court further certifies that it appears to it that the Rev Cyrus Gale who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, residing in the town of New Hartford, & that Asa Goodwin who has also signed the same, is a resident in the same town & is a credible person, & that their statement is entitled to credit.
Frederick Wolcott, Judge of Probate Ritchfield District, Conn.

I Phinehas Miner Clerk of said Court of Probate, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Eliphalet Ensign for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of said Office this 25 th day of Aug 1832 Phinehas Miner Clerk

Isabella Ensign Commercia
Admitted

Conny  BRIEF in the case of  Eliphalet Ensign  of Litchfield  in the State of Connecticut  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? open Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 84  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days. As a Gen.     In 1776 Quincy 1 private Capt Noah Phelps Major Hart   " - ditt 2 " " " Sheldon   1777 - ditt 1 " " Major Dull   1778 3 4 " Capt Mills Colo Eno.   " 3 6 " " "   10  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? none mentioned  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? New Hartford Connecticut  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditional Three Living Witnesses  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Correct 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
George Dyer
Examining Clerk.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., _____, 19_____
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Eliphalet Ensign a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pen- sion on file in this Bureau. S. 12 874.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     July 1776 1 mo. Pvt. Noah Phelps. Thos. Seymour Conn.   Oct 1776 2 mos. " Uriah Seymour Major Sheldon "   July 1777 1 mo. " Noah Phelps. Major Thos. Bull "   Spr. 1778 6 mos. " Amasa Miles. Major Enos "  
Battles engaged in,
Residence of soldier at enlistment, New Hartford, Litchfield Co. Conn. Date of application for pension, Aug. 20, 1832. His claim was allowed Residence at date of application, New Hartford, Litchfield Co. Conn. Age at date of application, born Aug 16, 1748 at New Hartford, Conn. Remarks: There is no family data on file
# SEE Conn. Cook p. 483
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.

M. E. E. com
July 21, 1928
Rev. C. T. Ensign Lakota North Dakota
Sir:
I advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim S. 12874, it appears that Eliphalet Ensign was born in New Hartford, Litchfield County, Connecticut, August 16, 1748.
While a resident of New Hartford, Connecticut, he enlisted and served as a private in the Connecticut Troops as follows,-
From July, 1776, one month in Captain Noah Phelps' Company, Colonel Thomas Seymour's Regiment.
From the last of October, 1776, two months in Captain Uriah Seymour's Company, under Major Sheldon.
From July, 1777, one month in Captain Noah Phelps' Company, under Major Thomas Bull.
From the summer of 1778, three months in Captain Amasa Mills' Company, Colonel Roger Mose's Regiment.
From the fall of 1778, three months under the same officers as last enlistment.
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 20.

1832, while a resident of New Hartford, Connecticut.
There are no data on file relative to family.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT Commissioner.

FEDERATED CHURCH (CONGREGATIONAL-METHODIST) C. T. ENSIGN, PASTOR LAKOTA, NORTH DAKOTA
Sept. 12, 1927.
Pension Bureau, Washington, D. C. Dear Sirs:-
Will you please send me the data you have about Eliphalet Ensign who was a soldier in the Revolutionary war and a pensioner. Such data as where he enlisted from and when, his parents, date and place of birth, marriage, army record, etc. Also name, birth, death, place of birth and death of his wife, etc.
Would you also please send me similar information concerning Otis Ensign who served from New Hartford, Conn., as also did Eliphalet Ensign .
I would appreciate it very much if you would give me the names and data concerning any other Ensign, if any, who served in the Revolutionary war.
Yours truly,
C. T. Ensign

Rev War
12.874 INVALID.
File No. 12.874
Elijah Ensig Priv. Rev. War
Act: June 5th 1852.
Index:—Vol. _____, Page _____
[Arrangement of 1870.]

1913 Oct 8. Hirt to Miss Alice M. Gay. { William Sm. F. 31798 M B H John Kelby
1928-July 21, Hist to Rev. C. J. Eusegn, M. E. E.

PO Apr 90 - 32
cont
No. 5891.
4888
To the Hon Secretary of War Washington D.C.
Revolutionary War

Q 6
Apr 90
32
Cont
No. 5891.
4853
To the Hon Secretary of War Washington D.C.
Revolutionary (Pain)

Litchfield, Conn., Aug 27 th 1882
Sir I herewith forward to you Eliphalet Ensign's application for a Pension He wishes your answer to be sent to me.
Respectfully Yours
Geo. C. Woodruff

I Abraham Pettibone of the Town of Burlington, in Hartford County, and State of Connecticut, of lawful age do hereby depose and say - That I was Born on the 12 th day of November 1751, that I am well and engrained with Eliphalet Ensign of New Britain, in Litchfield County, & State aforesaid - and that on, or about the first day of July 1776 the said Ensign was a soldier in the Revolutionary War & went into the City of New York & performed a tour of service of about one month, in a Company of Horse Troops commanded by Lieut. Uriah Seymour of New Britain in the Regiment of Col. Thomas Seymour. - These facts I know, as I was with him, in the same Camp & Regiment.
Abraham Pettibone
For the truth
Litchfield County ss. New Britain August 16 th 1832. Personally appeared Abraham Pettibone, a person known to me to be a credible witness, & made solemn Oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition by him subscribed - sworn & subscribed before me - Asa Goodwin Justice of the Peace -

I Ruth Woodruff, of the Town of New Hartford, in the County of Litchfield and State of Connecticut, of lawful age do testify and say, that I am well acquainted with Eliphalet Ensign, of the aforesaid Town of New Hartford, and very well recollect that he went a tour in the wars of the Revolution, I believe to New York, in the summer of 1776, in a Company of Horse Troops under Capt. or Lieut. Verick Dymour of said New Hartford, — And also a tour in the fall of the same year, & did not get home until the latter part of December, or the first of January following — I recollect three facts from my living at that time, in the family of the Father of the said Eliphalet Ensign, I was then about seventeen, & am now seventy three years of age.
Ruth Woodruff
Litchfield County ss. New Hartford August 16 th 1832.
Personally appeared Ruth Woodruff, a witness to me known, & entitled to credit, & made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition, by her subscrb. in my presence. Before me Asa Gage in Justice of the Peace.

I Isaac Catlin of the town of Harrisville in the County of Litchfield, Conn, being duly sworn do depose & say that I am well acquainted with Eliphalit Ensign of New Britain in said County, & that in July 1777 said Ensign was a member of a Company of Cavalry commanded by Capt Phelps, & in Major Shot Bull's Regiment & was stationed at Cromford near Peekskill on the Hudson River, While here said Regiment was ordered to move with other Troops under Gen Varnum to make an attack on the British near the lines, We marched down to near Kings Bridge & made an attack upon the British outposts at Valentine's Hill & took a Lieut. & several men prisoners, Soon after this said Regiment returned to Cromford & remained encamped there till it was dismissed, which was done by order of Gen. Putnam, on parade, Said Ensign served in & with said Regiment at this time for at least one month & I think longer, I knew him well at that time & served in the same Regiment with him, but in a different company, commanded by Capt Moses Hemenway. I remember that while we were serving during this tour he & I were sent out together as a scout for some distance we travelled together for this purpose. Said Ensign's character for veracity is good & his statement is entitled to full credit. And further saith not.
Dated at Litchfield this 20 th day of Aug 1832
Isaac Catlin
Litchfield County ss Litchfield Aug 20 th 1832 Personally appeared Mr Isaac Catlin a witness known to me to be entitled to Credit & made solemn oath before me to the truth of the above deposition, subscribed by him in my presence.
Geo. C. Woodruff Justice of the Peace.

I, Abel Tyler of New Hartford in the County of Litchfield & State of Connecticut, being duly sworn, do depose & say, that in 1778 a Corps of men were raised by order of the Legislature of Connecticut, to serve as soldiers in the United States service, for one year, liable to be called out on the shortest notice, & to serve where wanted — that in the spring of the year 1778, Eliphet Ensign of said New Hartford, with whom I was then, & since have been well acquainted, enlisted for one year into this said Corps, & in the early part of the summer of that year, he was called out & served with his company in Westchester County, in the State of New York, in the company commanded by Capt. Amasa Mills, & in the Regiment commanded by Col. Eno. Lieut. Col. Smith, & Maj. Curtis. He was stationed at White Plains for a short time, & from there said Regiment was ordered to march, & did march to West Point — at this place he was engaged with the company in standing guard, & also in erecting a fortification on the hill, at West Point, & remained there until released, & he went home, after having served three months, at least — soon after however, he was called out & went to the coast, near the lines, towards New York, with said company — which was stationed at Greenwich, Horseneck, &c to defend the adjacent country from any attacks which might be made by the British, & to prevent any plundering of the country by the Cowboys, or British &c — He remained with said company for this purpose, at least three months — Col Eno's Regiment was stationed at different places on the coast, & his head quarters were at Horseneck — said Ensign during the year of his enlistment, was in active service at least the above two terms of three months each, & should think a longer time, for I was with him, & enlisted when he did, & served in the same company — said Ensign's character for veracity is perfectly good, & his statement should receive full credit, and further said not. Dated at New Hartford the 21 st day of August 1832 — Abel Tyler
State of Connecticut } S. New Hartford August 21 st 1832. County of Litchfield }
Personally appeared Abel Tyler, a witness to me personally known to be entitled to credit, & made solemn Oath to the truth of the above deposition, by him subscribed in my presence —
Before me, Asa Goodwin Justice of the Peace —

I Frederick Wolcott Clerk of the County Court within & for the County of Litchfield do hereby certify that Asa Goodwin Esq. was on the 16 th day of Aug. in 1 st records ever since has been & now is a Justice of the Peace within & for said County, & that George C. Woodruff was on the 20 th day of Aug. in 1 st records ever since has been a Justice of the Peace for said County and that as such Justices they are legally qualified to administer oaths, & that their names affixed to the depositions of Abraham Pettibone, Ruth Woodruff, Ab. Tyler & Grace Pettibone which purport to be their signatures respectively are genuine & their proper hand writing.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court this 25 th day of Aug 1832
Frederick Wolcott Clerk
Adm. Street Peach, Newburytown 4. Sept 1832 6 a.m. Court Machine